Research Washington D.C. Community Academy Public Charter School Online charter Schools in Arlington, Virginia

“I have removed my son from CAPCS becuase the leadership was terrible. The staff seemed inexperienced. There was no security. The focus was obviously not on the kids. There were no programs for kids that were advanced and the academy leader only made excuses. For a school to be prodominately Black there were no strong black male teachers in the school. That is what you need to deal with these young boys. The school put too much of their responsibility on the parents. It was a major disappointment! I have complained and demanded change all year long. Even though I have removed my son the school is now making changes to better itself so things are looking positive for CAPCS's future.”

“My 3-year old daughter is just finishing up her pre-school year at CAPCS and I am thrilled with what she learned and what I learned from the all the wonderful teachers and staff a the school. In the past year she has learned spanish and sign language from Ms. Brooks, has gained a wonderful appreciation for art and artist from the art teacher Ms. Melissa, and is showing me how to exercise based on what she learned from Ms. Cummings, the PE teacher. Best of all her primary teachers encourage them to solve problems, be inquisitive and have fun. The staff works very well together in providing a loving and engaging atmosphere for all the kids.”

“My child attends CAPCS online. It is the 'internet school' of the brick and mortar school. It is basically public-school-at-home. The curriculum (k12) is very, very good. The school loans parents a computer and printer and provides all curriculum and a supervising teacher. The parent (or responsible adult) is the learning coach and teaches the child at home. The supervising teacher has phone conferences and is available via e-mail. If a parent wants to teach their child at home, this is a great way to go. Most people don't know about this great option of public schooling.”

“I am a parent of a student at the Amos II campus and I must say , the teaching staff there is by far some of the most dedicated teachers I have seen in a long time. They go out their way to make you and your child feel comfortable and are always available to answer any question you may have. They all seem very knowlgeable about what goes on in the building and regardless of who your child's teacher is, anyone of them will not hesitate to assist you if need be. My child is a preschooler there and will remain there for the duration of her early childhood education. CAPCS was recommeded to me and I am so very pleased with them. My child loves CAPCS and so do I!”

“The Amos II campus is a great early childhood environment! The entire staff is very dedicated to their work and students. Parent involvement is promoted through constant communication, events, and activities. But most of all Miss Watts, Miss Maria, Miss Cassandra, and Miss Santana are an exemplary kindergarten team! I know that my child will be ready for first grade.”

“The teachers are unprofessional and inexperienced. There is more money being put into the founders office (marble floors and plasma tv's) then into the school. My kids are now in a school where it is completely opposite from CAPCS, and I see the difference.”

“I am a parent of the Amos 2 Campus of Community Academy. My daughter is a student in Ms. Leslie Haymen and Kimberly Wiggins's class. Both my daughter and I are pleased with the method of teaching. They are very organized and on top of issues. I have seen obvious signs of day to day learning that my daughter has shown as she has just turned 4 years old. I would also like to speak on the close relationship my daughter shares with both, her teachers and classmates. Its a feeling of comfort amd warmth, when I leave my child with them. When my daughter comes home, she imitates the teachings of Ms. Haymen and Ms. Leslie. To my satisfaction they are true, unscripted imitations of praise, and positive reinforcement. My child also comes home excited about Senorita Brooks, as she has learned to speak and sign in the Spanish Language.”

“While my first CAPCS experience was negative, at the Butler Campus, I am since, singing a new tune at the Amos Campus. Now at Amos I am pleased, the administration is involved, and my son is actively learning and the school is reinforcing what my husband I an instill at home...after all it takes a village, NOT just the teachers!”

“My daugther attended BBC branch of this school system. The leadership was non-existant. My daughter had 7 teachers in one school term. Students were often disrespectful to one another and their teachers using profanity and violence. There were very little suspensions or other discipline measures to deter students from being repeat offenders. The school lacks the materials to teach the curriculum. There was no screening and all students were accepted yet they lacked the resources to address all students. The school only cared about numbers for money they did not take the students into consideration.”

“The teachers try their best. But I could never get a person to answer my questions from administration! They have gone through so many teachers this year and I do not see anything excellent about it. CAPCS should not get funded to have multiple campuses if they treat students and teachers the way they do. And Extracurricular Activities? and Internet CampsuS! HA!”

“Wow. Butler Bilingual School was so great in 2004/2005. Since then, the school has gone down hill. My daughter is very smart. She feels like the baby work she is getting in school is not new. She is not challenged at all. The teacher only gives her homework about 3 times out of a MONTH. I am so sick of this school. Not only that, when one child acts up in class, the whole class is punished unfairly. I really wish to remove her from this campus once and for all.”

“My child has been apart of the CAPCS family for several years now. Unfortunately, this time frame has allowed me to witness the demise of a once great place to have your children educated at. I am a very actively involved parent and found the last two years of having a revolving door of teachers, a breeding ground for unruly, disrespectful children, chaotic surrondings and miserable teachers to all be direct result of the leadership looking to extend their enrollment versus maintaining a wonderful school. There was little to no classroom management, no school counselor to address the emotionally unstable children, and the maintenance nightmare (electrical problems) are all apart of a long list of troubles with this school.”

“My son spent his kindergarten year (03/04)at this school. It was horrible. He was the most advanced child in his class. So, he ended up helping teach the other children all year. While I taught him. Not his teahcer. The admin is terrible. They view the students as dollar signs. The parents are often met with fake smiles, and the corriculum leaves much to be desired. I know because I am not one of those parents who drops my child off everyday, and only inquires when it's report card time. I was there everyday. This school needs major improvements. On all levels, especially academics. I would not send my child back to CAPCS if my life depended on it. Please think twice before you enroll your child.”

“I am very disapointed with caps on ridges road they don't take the time to find the teachers who wants to teach these kids how read and write. the first thing they want to do is send them to special education, but when the child really needs special education they ignore them and keep sending the home for me this is my kids last year at caps and for all of the other mothers out there who wants an education for their kids transfer them to another school. from experince if your child dosen't have a aunt, cousion, sister, brother uncle thats work there then they would not get the proper education that they need. caps need to pay more attenton to no child left behind.”

“This was my daughters first year with Community Academy (AMOS), and I am so disappointed with the school. My daughter tells me her teacher talks on her cell phone during class time, has her boyfriend come to visit often during class time. There is no security anyone can come and go as they please for example, her father came to the school to pick her up for an appointment, went to the office stood for about 10 minutes, with no one asking can they help him. Finally, he walked to the class to get her; my point is that could have been any man. This school did not met my child s needs academically I found myself seeking extra assistance on the out side to help her keep up academically, therefore, when she went to the next school she would not be behind. The ratio is 24 to 1 for my child s grade and that was unsatisfactory.”

“I have had wonderful experiences throughout my childrens years at CAPCS. No place is perfect but I do believe that it is paramount the parents be involved in their childrens education and not look at the school as a babysitter. The administration though not perfect(as none are) has always been open and receptive to concerns that I have brought to them about my child and the school. Parent involvement is essential and I have found that the parents that have complained the most have been the least involved in any aspect of the CAPCS community. I was told if you don't vote you don't have the right to complain (hint, hint). The upper administration is working on improving thoses areas that are brought foward I think. Keep up the good job and I believe that perfection can be achieved.”

“As both a parent and former teacher, I was shocked to witness such injustice toward children under the guise of a world-class education. The chaos and disharmony among the children, staff, and adminstration are a reflection of the school's poor leadership. The things that my children were learning socially were innapropriate. There were times when they would be left to watch tv/movies or listen to the radio (no further comment needed). Academically, the curriculm was redundant and did not stimulate my children, who regressed more and more with each school day. It is unfortunate that Community Academy is the only option for some families...and that it is more a part of the problem, rather than the solution.”

“Not all Charter Schools are created equal. This is my son's first and last year at CAPCS. CAPCS has sound educational values on paper, but they have gotten lost behind hypocritical leadership. The school has expanded without making provisions for those students already in place. As well as the A1 campus class sizes are larger than indicated, usually around 28:1, give or take a couple. Founder and CEO Mr. Amos' vision is being distracted by the Chief Academic Officer's unwillingness to be more receptive to a changing society. Children have the right to be educated, and it's the responsibility of the parents and schools to ensure thier ultimate achievement.”

“Community Academy is a great school. The method of teaching is innnovative and effective. This is my son's second year at Community Academy and from year to year he has been exceedingly capable to go on to the next level. Community Academy keeps him motivated and eager to learn.”